Special Education (B.A.)

The St. Andrews Special Education degree program is designed to prepare educators to teach children with mild disabilities via the General K-12 Curriculum. Through participation in additional courses the program also offers an option for add-on certification in Gifted Education for any education major or licensure only candidate.

Pre-service teachers in Special Education will develop the knowledge, skill and dispositions necessary to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for special needs students in special and general education settings. The pre-service Special Education teachers will show evidence of skills for leading students toward higher cognitive development stages.

Program objectives include pre-service teachers developing the knowledge and understanding necessary to become experts at teaching students with disabilities who are progressing through the General Curriculum (K-12); knowledge and understanding of Special Education laws and policies; and develop the knowledge and understanding of human growth and development theories as they apply to students with disabilities. They will develop an awareness and competency in applying basic principles of curriculum planning and implement them according to the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Pre-service teachers will participate in field experiences, practicums and community events related to students with disabilities (i.e. Special Olympics). They will habitually reflect on the experiences as a basis for decision-making and for professional growth. Further, they will demonstrate the use of technological tools both for planning, instruction and assessing, as well as the skills of data management.